Bristol, Connecticut
Centre Square
Client: City of Bristol
Provided Services:
What we faced
After a proposed large mixed-use development that excited the community was abandoned, the city sought to capitalize on interest to develop a small portion of the site. To properly plan for future site development, we were hired to explore how the site might be redeveloped by multiple entities, to inform the city what needed to be done to facilitate such development, and ensure a cohesive pedestrian-oriented space. To guide implementation of the city’s vision for a vibrant mixed-use downtown destination and energize the Bristol's city center, the team was confronted with combating an existing low rental market, non-existent critical mass, transportation disconnections, and challenging demographics.
Design for the community - by the community
Through a robust community engagement process that included a project website, branding, online surveys, and multiple community workshops, community members provided input on-site uses, visual preferences, and programming opportunities. Conceptual designs that included public realm improvements and building massing alternatives were explored, and a final master plan for the site was developed. Leveraging ongoing downtown projects, the city is currently making significant roadway, parking, and streetscape investments around and within the site to encourage redevelopment that in turn contributes to the overall success of the downtown.
The City of Bristol could not be happier with the guidance that Milone & MacBroom provided while creating a Master Plan for the 15-acre Centre Square downtown development parcel. The Master Plan is in near-constant use as we develop the site - we frequently use it as a resource when speaking with potential developers and when answering general inquiries from the public.